Help nesting sea turtles by keeping beaches dark and free of
obstacles at night

Nesting loggerhead sea turtle. Photo by Loggerhead
Marinelife Center. Keeping beaches dark at night and free of obstacles will
help sea turtles during their nesting season, which begins in Florida on March
1 and lasts through the end of October. Bright artificial lighting can misdirect and disturb nesting
sea turtles and their hatchlings, so beachgoers should avoid using flashlights
or cellphones at night. Turning out lights or closing curtains and shades in
buildings along the beach after dark will ensure nesting turtles are not
disturbed as they come ashore and hatchlings will not become disoriented when
they emerge from their nests. Clearing away boats and beach furniture at the
end of the …